To Hell and Back to Pan -- by Dalton Narine

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

- November 10, 2021

To Hell and Back to Pan

by Dalton Narine

A When Steel Talks Exclusive

From left, Brooklyn draftees Leroy Barnes, Dalton Narine and the late Kenneth Edwards

Veterans Day Embraces 2 Trinis
who served in Vietnam and elsewhere

Narine:
“What are you thinking?”
They’re all gone (A thousand-yard stare wells up)
“How did it go?” We went in and … it was an ambush.
I held his hand. It was sappy. His voice sad. “Gone, all gone.”
Jesus Christ, my first day in Nam. I tried to console a warrior, but he walked away. Heaven knows where to. I wanted to help pack the body bags, but I couldn’t take it.

It is Veterans Day in the USA, and Gerry Carter and myself relish the moment, the longing for memory of that badass Vietnam War.

Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast.

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Comments

Band From Space - sung by “Crazy”

- December 09, 2022

The Meeting Place - Hugh Masekela x Machel Montano x Siparia Deltones

- January 20, 2023

‘ The Meeting Place ’ sung & performed by Hugh Masekela, Machel Montano and Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra 2023: Tune of choice | Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra - Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023 Official Audio for “The Meeting Place - Amapiano Version” by Hugh Masekela x Machel Montano x Siparia Deltones, produced by Doc Jones, Jester x DJ Puffy. Song Credits: Song Title: The Meeting Place - Amapiano Version Artist: Hugh Masekela x Machel Montano x Siparia Deltones Composers/Writers: Carlton “Zanda” Alexander, Akinola Sennon, Hugh Masekela, Machel Montano, Cerdic Jones, Paul Jones & Andre Parris Original produced by: Akinola Sennon & Carlton “Zanda” Alexander Amapiano Version produced by: Doc Jones, Jester x DJ Puffy Additional instrumentation by: Keshav Background vocals by: Peter ‘WiLDXFiRE’ Noel Mixed ...

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to panist, composer, arranger and vocalist Vanessa Alexandra Headley-Brewster

- January 06, 2022

Vanessa Alexandra Headley-Brewster Happy Birthday to Vanessa Alexandra Headley-Brewster January 7th Vanessa is the CEO of the prestigious Golden Hands Steel Orchestra and has represented Trinidad and Tobago, not only in Antigua & Barbuda, but also in Dominica, Martinique, and the USA at Howard University and the University of Delaware. She has conducted steelpan workshops in her native Trinidad and Tobago as well as at the Delaware School of the Performing Arts and the McCollum High School, in Austin, Texas. In 2008 Ms. Headley was the star soloist at one of the main showcase concerts of the Percussive Arts International Convention (PASIC) - also in Austin, Texas. Her role was central to the presentation of Golden Hands’ original steelband musical “ The Rainmakers .” Related content: Vanessa Headley-Brewster - Bio Vanessa Headley 2020 Panorama arranger of La Brea Nightingales Steel Orchestra - Large band category A Salute to the 2020 Panorama Accomplishments of Arranger Vanes...

2023 - Bunji Garlin - "Hard Fete"

- February 23, 2023

1932 to present - Road March Winners

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to panist Latifa Joseph

- March 10, 2022

Latifa Joseph Happy Birthday to Latifa Joseph March 10th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Latifa Joseph “In my opinion, Antigua & Barbuda’s steelpan art form has so much potential but it is being stifled. We need to be educated more on the importance of the steelpan art form. I am happy to see that almost every school in Antigua has a steel orchestra. However, I think including steelpan in the music curriculum from the primary school level upwards would help to increase awareness and appreciation. Children are the future of the world and this would be the best place to start.” -- Latifa Joseph Relevant content Meet Latifa Joseph of Antigua

When Sidney Poitier met the Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband in 1964

- January 20, 2022

In Photo from left – Steve Regis, Elton “Smokey” John, Herman Colins, Conrad Hunte, unknown, unknown, Sidney Portier, Hugh Borde, unknown, In 1964, The Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband performed at the Moral Re-Armament Conference at Mackinac Island, Michigan. Maybe it was serendipity that caused Bahamian born American actor Sidney Poitier (1927-2022) to be present at one of the band’s performances while he was visiting his daughter, who was attending the conference. He was so overwhelmed with the music that he insisted on meeting the players. As can be seen in the photo, the meeting brought great joy to Poitier (with pan sticks in hand) and all the musicians. See complete article Relevant content To Sir With Love - Royal Bahamas Defence Force pays tribute to Sir Sidney Poitier - When Steel Talks Who Am I? A Breakdown Of George “Sonny” Goddard’s Accomplishments Remembering the late Dr. Clifford Alexis - arranger, tuner, panist and member of the 1964 ‘Trinidad & To...

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to educator, scholar, film director, videographer and veteran ace panist Jeston Lett

- June 07, 2022

Jeston Lett June 7th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Jeston Lett “Panorama some say has evolved, same for Soca, but I believe we misinterpret this as losing ourselves and identity. When bands can substitute good music with Showmanship, there’s a problem. And I know to this, many would disagree, but I say let the music do the work.” -- Jeston Lett In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - filmmaker, director and panist Jeston Lett shares his overall views on Pan, Panorama and more... See Interview Related content: Jeston Lett - Panist, Film Director, Videographer- speaks on Pan & Panorama Erphaan Alves - In Your Eyes - directed by Jeston Lett

WST Reboot --- New York Times: remembers the late great Clive Bradley

- November 26, 2021

New York Times: remembers the late great Clive Bradley NY Times National Edition - "Clive Bradley, whose arrangements for steel-drum orchestras in Trinidad and New York City won championships from 1970 to 2005, died on Saturday in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He was 69.. ..Mr. Bradley was one of the most skillful and admired practitioners of a longstanding Carnival tradition. Steel bands, also known as pan bands, compete each year, performing concert versions of soca and calypso songs. The arrangements are elaborate suites of variations and are played in Trinidad by orchestras of 100 musicians or more; Brooklyn bands are somewhat smaller... " -- Jon Pareles See complete article

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, intellectual, composer, arranger, ethnomusicologist and panist Chantal Esdelle

- June 27, 2022

Chantal Esdelle June 25th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Chantal Esdelle In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the panist, ethnomusicologist, musician composer, arranger and educator gives us an honest glimpse into who she is - her observations and concerns along with her love and unrestrained passion for the culture, history, steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more. See Interview Related content: Chantal Esdelle and Moyenne: HAITI See more breaking news

Black Man Feeling To Party - by Black Stalin

- January 08, 2023

‘ Black Man Feeling To Party ’ sung by “Black Stalin” 2023: Tune of choice | Renegades Steel Orchestra - Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023 2023: Tune of choice | Harmony Music Makers - New York Panorama 2023 2023: Tune of choice | Metro Steel Orchestra - New York Panorama 2023

Search This Blog

Steelpan Music News - History and Culture